Muzaffarabad: Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) Prime Minister Raja Faisal Mumtaz Rathore on Wednesday chaired a meeting to review preparations for the proposed Overseas Kashmiris Conference, scheduled to be held in the second week of February in the state capital.
According to an official statement, the meeting focused on the objectives of the conference, organisational planning and priority areas, with particular emphasis on encouraging overseas Kashmiris to contribute to the region’s economic development. Investment opportunities in tourism, information technology, power and hydel sectors were discussed as key focus areas.
The prime minister directed relevant departments to identify priority sectors and potential investment sites across AJK and prepare clear, investment-ready proposals to facilitate informed decision-making by prospective investors. It was decided that targeted investments in tourism, IT, power and hydel projects would be encouraged to accelerate economic activity in the region.
Terming overseas Kashmiris a valuable asset for AJK, Mr Rathore expressed hope that the conference would help strengthen economic development efforts. He said the government was committed to simplifying procedures, ensuring investor confidence and creating a conducive business environment through measures such as special economic zones and a one-window facilitation system.
“We have to assure investors that their capital is secure and that their investments will be profitable in the long run,” the prime minister said, adding that the government aimed to address unemployment through investment-led growth, infrastructure development and the expansion of tourism-related businesses.
The meeting also endorsed the formation of a committee to address issues faced by overseas Kashmiris to ensure timely and effective resolution of their concerns. Participants were invited to present suggestions, following which directions were issued to formulate a roadmap for future strategy.
The meeting expressed optimism that the proposed conference would contribute to improved economic growth and help build a sustainable, long-term partnership between overseas Kashmiris and the region.
Earlier, Prime Minister Rathore met Overseas Pakistanis Foundation (OPF) Chairman Syed Qamar Raza at Kashmir House in Islamabad, where it was decided that overseas Kashmiris from around the world would be invited to attend the conference. The two sides also agreed to form joint committees comprising representatives of the AJK government and the OPF to finalise conference arrangements, agenda and administrative matters.
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